The largest Mayan ruin site on Cozumel, San Gervasio was a holy site dedicated to Ixchel, the goddess of fertility, childbirth and medicine. It was a sacred place for Mayan women, who would make the pilgrimage to the temples of San Gervasio, at least once during their lifetime, to make offerings and pray to the goddess. Continually occupied from around 300 A.D. till as late as the 16th century, the site still has the ruins of several Mayan temples. One of the most interesting structures at San Gervasio is the Temple of the Hands, which has many small red hand prints painted on the walls. Most of the ruins here are small square buildings that are low to the ground and have short doors. Though not as well known as Chichen Itza, the Mayan ruins at San Gervasio on Cozumel are definitely worth a visit.
One of the oldest Mayan ruins on Cozumel island, El Cedral dates back to 800 A.D. Discovered by the Spanish Conquistadores in 1518, all that remains of the once-glorious Mayan temple are ruins though traces of original paint and stucco can still be found at this site. The ruins in El Cedral suggest that the structures were bigger than the small and low structures found in San Gervasio, leading to the assumption that major ceremonies were held here.
Located on the northeast shoreline of Cozumel, the Castillo Real ruins are in fairly good condition compared to other sites on the island. In addition to the lookout tower much like the one in Tulum, it also has a pyramid base with a temple. Since the dirt road leading to Castillo Real is inaccessible by car, you can only reach the ruins by boat or on foot.
